Llwydcoed took to the stage at the Salvation Army in Canton for this ‘Celebration Brass’ concert organised to recognise the band’s 100th anniversary and to help raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance.

Guest

Special guest was composer and conductor Paul Lovatt Cooper, and the concert featured many of his works, opening with ‘Home of Legends’, which set the scene for the night.

Soloists in the first half were principal cornet Nicholas Brill with ‘Emerald Skies’ and solo baritone John Jones on ‘Donegal Bay’.

Lighter side

The band showed their lighter side with Paul’s latest work, entitled ‘You’ve been Warne’d’, written in big band style memory of David Warne of London’s Oxstead Band. 

The first half was rounded off with a rousing performance of ‘Fire in the Blood’ which was greatly appreciated by the vast majority of Salvationists in the audience.

Thunder

The second half opened with ‘When Thunder Calls’ before segueing into Dan Price’s reflective, ‘Sunrise over Blue Ridge’.

Barrie Gott’s foot tapping ‘Light Walk’ heralded the appearance of the Cardiff Canton Songsters who bought a mix of thought provoking and upbeat gospel songs, and the Cardiff Canton YP Band, who showed that Salvation Army banding had a bright future with their enjoyable contribution.

Euphonium soloist Darren Morris rolled back the years with his beautiful rendition of the Karl Jenkins ‘Benedictus’, before it was time to round up the evening with a fine performance of one of PLC’s favourite works, ‘Vitae Aeternum’, which had the added bonus of the Cardiff Canton Songsters singing the songs incorporated into the middle movement.

The band rounded off the night with Wilfred Heaton’s march, ‘Praise’.  

Kevin Johnson